January 10, 2014 (NEW YORK) - The members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have strongly warned against “external” interventions that could exacerbate nearly a month of military and political tensions in South Sudan.

A UN Security Council meeting (Photo: UN/Paulo Filgueiras)

The Council, in a statement issued Friday, renewed calls for all parties involved in the conflict to commit to cessation of violence and hostilities and urged government to protect civilians, including foreign nationals and personnel.

The world body does not, however, mention any country said to have intervened in the conflict, although fingers have been pointed at Ugandan troops allegedly fighting alongside government forces in a bid to defeat rebels loyal to South Sudan former vice-president, Riek Machar.

Uganda has, however, denied any military involvement in the conflict, saying its troops were only in South Sudan to protect Ugandans trapped in the violence.

Violence hit the world’s youngest nation mid-December last year following a misunderstanding among members of the presidential guards in the capital, Juba.

More than 1,000 people have died and nearly 200,000 displaced as the conflict later flared along ethnic lines in South Sudan’s states of Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity.

Talks between the warring parties, under the mediation of regional leaders from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are currently ongoing in Ethiopia, with calls for peaceful dialogue through cessation of hostilities key in these talks.

“The members of the Security Council underlined their demand for President Salva Kiir, former Vice President Riek Machar and other political leaders to demonstrate leadership by immediately agreeing to a cessation of hostilities and commencing a broader dialogue as proposed in the mediation efforts underway by IGAD in Addis Ababa”, the statement reads.

In particular, the UNSC urged Machar to move forward and agree to a cessation of hostilities without precondition and requested President Kiir, to release all political leaders currently detained in order to “create an environment conducive to a successful dialogue”.

The South Sudanese president has, however, defied mounting international pressure on him to unconditionally release detainees arrested last month following an alleged coup attempt in the country.

Members of the UNSC also called on both parties in the conflict to allow humanitarian access to thousands displaced and further agitated for security of economic infrastructure, including oil installations and the safety of the employees.

UN CHIEF WELCOMES TALKS

The UN Secretary General on Friday welcomed the beginning of the IGAD-mediated talks on South Sudan crisis, saying there "must" be no further delays in agreeing on a cessation of hostilities.

"I called President Salva Kiir yesterday [Thursday] again and urged him to demonstrate leadership and political flexibility by immediately releasing political prisoners", Ban Ki Moon said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

"South Sudan is at a crossroads; this crisis can be resolved only at the negotiating table; and I urge the two sides to negotiate in earnest", he added.

Western diplomats and the international community have all voiced their concerns for dialogue between South Sudan’s warring parties as a means to end nearly a month of violence in the East African country.

ACTIVIST BACKS UNSC MOVE

A South Sudanese civil society activist on Saturday welcomed the UNSC warning against any external intervention in the conflict, saying it was within the current expectations of citizens.

"South Sudanese want to see a quick end of the military confrontation and effective political dialogues going on. The more the end for fighting delays, the more criminal minded individuals take the opportunity for committing crimes", said Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO).

We urge each of the conflicting parties to compromise and demonstrate responsibility in order to pave way for a conductive atmosphere for peaceful dialogue, he stressed.

(ST)

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Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.

11 January 2014 09:30, by Paul Chadrack

The greedy corrupt bhar el gazel president is eyeing only how to keep himself in power, he does’nt care about the life of south sudanese. America should from today use force against him. Removing him will make this country a peacefull place.

Naath Raani
Riek supporters are fool and primitives.Which democracy you guys are talking about, trying to bring Riek by force, is this democracy?Kiir did not come by force and his term is still till 2015.Was there any election last year that made Riek defeat Kiir and refused to leave the seat?

Mathem Jech Amer,
Yin ci yuek? The people who elected him for the office are very victims today in broad daylight. Why Salva Slave, Killer killed the innocents through tribe line? If you depending your food is ok but don’t jump to the lion cave otherwise you will kiss the blood of Nuers innocent.

UNSC must stop and condemns Museveni and Bashir who already involved in recapturing Bentiu if they want this conflict to end. Bashir is confusing the International Community by dressing his militias with Darfur’s rebel dressing style, so that Machar forces will see them as JEM rebels. Unfortunately, the developed world are not interested on the people of RSS. They should have told this dumb (Kirr)

Coun. they should have told this dumb (Kirr) to go for the sake of peace. What do you except from people whom their loves ones have been massacre by a president whom they voted to power and who turned against them? Will they respect him again?

Dear international community. Please kindly get rid of this primitive President. He is the curse of this nation. Look here! He is trying to mobilize our Dinka against Nuer but this problem is not between Nuer and Dinka. Salva Kiir is the problem in South Sudan because he doesn’t want democracy in the country.

sir king, this man called Salva Kiir is causing us problem; as a president you can’t target only one tribe, doing massive killing, orgnized the genocide; who will vote to you in 2015, their voice is very important. their advisors like Minister of Justice and advisor Telar Ring Deng, confusing all the situation.

The warning abt "external" intervention for nations like Uganda, Sudanese rebels and other East African countries chosen to be bulled by Ugandan president is not spelled out in the document though it’s the title of the msg. Why not messages?

There is no need to mention Uganda;s intervention since it is so clear that Uganda has participate in war again Nuer tribe who are the warrior of South Sudan. I urge Chief of Staff Gatmai Hoth to Participated jointly with Nuer or should declare himself as Dinka and we will not forgive him.

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